Department of the interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chairman, in my home State of Arizona, a few special interest groups have been pushing the President to unilaterally designate a massive new 1.7-million-acre national monument in the Grand Canyon watershed.

Twenty-six Members of Congress have joined me in opposing this misguided effort, and there is significant local opposition.

[Page: H4822]
Here is a sample of those resolutions, and I would like to share a few of their comments here:

``The creation of a national monument by Presidential declaration does not allow for input from local communities ..... and could result in negative impacts for ..... grazing, hunting, water development and forest restoration ..... which would result in negative economic and public health impacts to the City of Williams.

``The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is concerned that the potential monument ..... 'will impede proactive and effective management of wildlife populations and habitats ..... and may result in reduced hunter opportunities and loss of revenues that directly support conservation and local communities.' ''

I could provide several more examples but will stop there.

I urge the adoption of the amendment.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source